MSC Cruises South Africa invited Travel News’s Marita Nortje to the launch of MSC World Europa in Doha.
The 215 836 gross tonnage MSC World Europa is MSC’s largest, greenest and most advanced cruise ship to date, with 22 decks and 6 762 guest capacity.
It features six speciality and four main restaurants, three buffets, 20 bars and lounges, a theatre, Aurea spa and sundeck, six swimming pools, large kids’ club and family areas, and Technogym-powered gym.
MSC World Europa’s interior design features a kinetic ceiling with a LED screen where ultra high definition images and videos are projected throughout the day and night. There is a kinetic interactive floor in the Panorama Lounge as well.
Ross Volk, MD of MSC Cruises South Africa told Travel News he was particularly impressed with the ship’s design and concept aspects, as well as the incredible use of space, making for a very open feel. The ship’s futuristic silhouette has a 90-degree plumb bow and a Y-shaped aft.
Volk said South Africans are very well represented in the total crew compliment across various guest services positions onboard, including a great number of graduates from Shosholoza Ocean Academy in Durban.
Describing MSC World Europa’s revolutionary sustainability features, he said it was the first ship in the world to use fuel cell technology together with optimal use of liquefied natural gas. The environmentally friendly paint used on the exterior prevents barnacles gathering on the hull, and all the ship’s water, heat and waste materials are recycled. It also uses desalinated water.
The Outdoor Promenade on Deck 8 is 104 metres long with three bars, four shops and one restaurant. Specially created light and music shows are featured each evening incorporating LED lighting. It also houses the Venom Drop, the longest dry slide at sea at 74,6 meters.
The ship’s official naming ceremony took place in Doha on Sunday, November 13, where Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, the Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Qatar Foundation, officially christened the ship.
The ceremony, held at Doha Port’s new designated terminal for large cruise ships, was a partnership between Qatar Airways and the MSC Cruises Group.
At the event, distinguished guests, media and travel agents from around the world watched performances by the Qatar Youth Choir and international classical crossover singer, Matteo Bocelli, son of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. A cutting-edge video-mapping projection was shown on the ship's hull, and a fantastic light show powered by 600 drones lit up the sky, followed by a huge fireworks display.
The ship will provide five-star hospitality to FIFA World Cup soccer fans during the tournament. Then, after spending time in the Middle East, it will depart Dubai in March and head to the Mediterranean for the 2023 summer cruising season.
One of the six speciality restaurants on board, Hola! Tacos and Cantina is a casual street food dining concept, offering Latin American and Mexican-inspired tacos and nachos, empanadas and tamales through to tortilla soup, vegetarian tacos. Also on the menu are 10 different Tequilas and Mezcals and a fresh guacamole station.
To get an idea of the whole ship, watch this virtual tour here.
